Thermostatically-controlled valve



.1. FITTS THERMOSTATICALLY CONTROLLED VALVE Filed May 23, 1919 3 Sheets-Sheet l 2% J; 59 flan/Q5701 MM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Bar/@1150]:

Nov. 25, 1924.

J. L. FITTS THERMOSTATICALLY CONTROLLED VALVE Filed May 25, 1919 J. L. FITTS THERMOSTATICALLY CONTROLLED VALVE Filed May 23 1919 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 (j /i206 gyauja fzt Patented Nov. 25, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES LOGAN FITTS, 0F PENSAUKEN TOWNSHIP, CAMDEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY,

ASSIGNOR T0 WARREN W PORATIQN 0']? NEW JERSEY.

EBSTER & COMPANY, OF CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY, A CO'R- THERMOSTATICALLY-C'ONTROLLED VALVE.

Application filed May 23,

To all whom, it may Be it known that I, JA a citizen of the United cert Jersey, have invented in Thermostatically-Controlled Valves,

concern MES LOGAN Frrrs,

States, residing in Pensauken Township, Camden County,

New ain Improvements of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention 1s to provide means for automatically controlling the admission of steam to a rad heating or heat iator coil or other distributing element and thereby prevent overheating and fuel waste,

and to maintain under ce more even temperature rta in cond'tions a than has been possible by any form of hand-controlled devices provide a device for. an

my invention is to (1 use of any auxas might be supplied by other flu"d or liquid electricity,

.for effecting consequent absence of accessories necesfurther object of my invention is to which is self-contained and of such a character that the desired adjustment can be readily effected to obtain the heating service intended.

And a still further object of my invention is to eliminate the placing of a thermostat on a wall, and the neo therewith between the st essary connection cam valve of the heating element, as well as the work necessary to install such structure.

invention relates to that With these andotherobjects in View, my

type of heat controller in which the admission of steam to the individual radiating unit, coil, or other form of heat distributing element,

lated without any other than that of the heat of the steam is regusouree of power in the supply pipes together with the heat of the atmospheric air adjacent thereto.

Under such conditions, thestructure or apparatus forming the. subject of my invention may be used on or in connection with any individual radiation unit, and without reference to or interference by or with any other radiator or steam heating unit.

It is well known that rooms or other spaces heated by steam, ators are controlled by manipulation of the supp wherein the radi the ordinary hand 13; valves, are fre- 1919. I Serial No. 299,227.

uncomfortable and greatly in excess of that considered correct and healthful. A healthful temperature, generally recognized as 68 F., should not be exceeded.

In certain chemical and mechanical processes it is frequently desirable to maintain a given room or other enclosed space at a fairly constant tempnerature, and automatic means are provided y my invention for effecting this result.

My invention, briefly stated, comprises a steam controlling valve, with a thermostat attached thereto and insulated from the heat of the radiator or steam pipe, the construction of which combined valve and thermostat is comparatively simple, and the whole arranged in a form suitable for connection with the steam supply pipe of a two-pipe steam heating system in which there is suflicient difference in supply and return pressures to cause the steam to flow.

It has heretofore been customary to control the steam supply and the resulting room temperature by placing a thermostat on various layers or strata of the air in a room, there is always a lower temperature nearer the floor and I have found that this lower temperature bears a fairly definite relation to the breathin line temperature.

The actual di erence in temperature (usually expressed in degrees F.) depends upon less.

other factors, such as the building structure; size and height of the room; and the outside air temperature, &c. But for each apartment the relation is practically con-, stant; the disturbing factor being the outside air temperature which, in very cold weather is greater, and in mild weather is These differences in temperature between the floor and the breathing line are from 2 to 33 F.- to 7 or 8 F., but as before stated, are fairly constant for each room; variations, usually slight, only occurring in cold or mild weather.

Under these conditions, a thermostat located either at the top of the radiator or near the floor may be set so as to maintain the desired temperature at the breathing linedue allowance bein observed for the difference in temperature at the breathing line stratum with respect to the location of the thermostat, and when so set such thermostat will react in accordance with any changes in the temperature of the air at the breathing line.

In this invention I have utilized this relative constancy to so control the steam admission that when the breathing line temperature is approximately 68 F. (or any other reasonable or desirable temperature) the thermostat will be affected by the temperature of air in its immediate proximity and will operate to shut off the steam supply. I

These and other features of my invention are more fully set forth hereinafter, and in order to clearly understand the same, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1, shows a perspective view of a portion of a room with an ordinary form of steam radiator therein; showing the location of the controlling valve and the thermostat with respect thereto.

Fig. 2, is a sectional elevation of the controlling valve and thermostat in their relative position with respect to each other.

ig. 3, is a plan View of the structure shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4., is a front elevation of the thermostat.

Figs. '5 and 6, are sectional views illustrating modified forms of the valve and a valve body, and certain of their accessories,

and

Figs. 7 and 8, are, respectively, a front elevation and a sectional view of another form of a thermostatic element within the scope of my invention.

Referring to the larly Fig. 1, 1 is steam supply or inlet pip drawlngs, more particua steam radiator, wlth e 2, and condensation return or outlet p1pe 3, (with which may be employed any suitable or modern form of a steam trap located therein to relieve the radlator of air and water yet hold the steam). Connected to the steam supply or inlet pipe 2 is my improved controller valve 4, with the attached thermostat 5; the latter being shown as facing outward from the radiator. The'valve 4, with its thermostat and other appurtenances may be located at the floor, for a bottom connected radiator, but the preferred location is at the top of a top connected radiator, as indicated in the drawing. Whether located at the bottom or at top of the radiator, it is affected by the temperature of the air stratum in which it is placed and by slight currents set up by a heated radiator; which temperature, while relatively lower than the air at the breathing line, is relatively constant as before stated. o

In Fig. 2, of the drawings, showing an enlarged sectional view of the steam valve 4, and thermostat 5, the shell or casing of the valve is indicated at 10, and may be pro vided with an inlet port 11, a port or passage 12, formed in 13 within the valve let port 15 through whichthe steam may flow to the radiator. The inlet portll communicates with the steam supply pipe 2, the outlet port 15 communicates with a pipe 6 connected to the radiator, while the port 12, through which the steam entering via port 11 may find its way to port 15, is controlled by an automatically controlled valve member ing to the radiator. I

ecured to the upper part or top of the valve body, by screws or other means, is a cover 16, with a bracket portion 17 and this bracket portion may carry an insulating plate 18 to which the thermostat 5 may be attached. W

Disposed within the valve chamber 14 and depending from its cover 16; being attached to the flange 19 of ascrew plug20, threaded into said cover and vapor-tight. joint, is an expansible' metal cylinder 21, preferably of bellows form, or of multiple disk type, forming a chamber 22, to which is attached'a valve stem 23, to the flange 24 of which the cylinder 21 is secured, and said stem carries a valve piece 25 adapted to close the port 12. The screw plug 20 is provided with a tubular passage 26, leading to a chamber 27 within the cover 16. A gasket or other suitable form of packing is shown at 28 in order that the cover may, with the securing screws 29, form a steam-tight top closure for the valve' casing.

the diaphragm or wall chamber 14, and an out to vary the amount of steam passproviding a suitable The cover 16 is preferably provided with i an upwardly extendin tubular passageway 31 communicating with the chamber 27 and in line with the passsage 26 of the screw closure 32 being adapted to said port or passage 31 in the boss 30 for the purpose g boss 30, having a plug 20; ascrew plug" of hermetically closing the same when the structure is in operation. A guard cap 33, designed to protect said screw plug closure 32 and to be sealed against tampering, may also be provided.

Communicating with the passageway 31 is a passage 35 extending through the cover 16 or a horizontal enlargement 36 of the same and the bracket part 17, and with this passageway a small tube 37 is connected, which tube leads to and affords communication with the chamber of the thermostat 5.

\Vithin the chamber 22 of the expansible metal cylinder 21, I preferably place a stop I designed to limit the contraction of said chamber to definite dimensions, and for this purpose I have shown a tubular member 38, which may have notches 38 at the upper and lower ends, so that any fluid within said chamber may communicate freely with the interior of said tubular member 38. I have shown half round notches, but they may be of any other suitable shape and perform the function desired.

Within the chamber 22 of the expansiblc metal cylinder 21, I may also place a suitable filling substance 39, which may be of wax, such as paraflin, which is solid at ordinary or maximum atmospheric temperatures but which at the temperature of steam is a fluid, and for illustrative purposes this may be in amount such as to partially fill said chamber 22 to the dotted line on. The filling 'material is not necessarily in fixed volume, but may just fill the chamber, or partially fill the same, or in some instances it may be omitted altogether. A heavy, chemically inert oil, might be used, but a material solid at ordinary temperatures is to be preferred, for when cold or relatively so, it is fixed and forms a solid internal support, protecting the corrugated metal casing, and it remains in place. Its use will be described later. 7

Referring to Fig. 2, the thermostatic element 5 may include or comprise a corrugated of accordion-jointed cylinder 40, with an upper head 41 and a lower head 42; such cylinder forming a chamber 43 adapted to be filled with liquic. This chamber is supported between rigidly mounted brackets 44 and 45 carried by a backing plate 46; the upper bracket being threaded for an adjusting screw 47 adapted to engage a recess 48 in the upper head 41, and such screw provides for changes in the length of the cylinder 40 under the varying operating conditions. The lower head 42 of the cylinder 40 is detachably mounted in the lower bracket and is preferably so connected therewith as to be fixed against rotative movement. In thepresent instance, such lower head is shown as provided with a squared boss 49 adapted to enter and fit a squared hole or recess 50 in the lower bracket, but

the chamber 43 may elongate under internal pressure due to expansion of the fluid contained therein when such fluid is heated,

and it may be compressed lengthwise by turning said screw against the same; movement of the screw with respect thereto being necessary in calibrating the device to operate at the desired and predetermined temperature. hen once set, the cylinder is held' in a fixed position between the brackets 44 and 45.

The end of the tube 37 is preferably attached to the lower head 42 at the center of the squared boss 49, so that the interior of the chamber 43 is in direct communication with the interior of the chamber 22 within the valve casing.

The base 46 is preferably attached to an insulating plate 51, and may be enclosed by a protective cover 52 of thin metal, having slots or perforations 53 to permit free access and circulation of air around the cylinder 40 forming the chamber 43, which cylinder, being corrugated, presents a greatly enlarged surface to be affected by the temperature of the atmosphere.

The insulating plate 51 of the thermostat ma' be secured by a metal band 54, prefera ly perforated at 55, to the insulating plate 18 connected to the top closure 16 of the valve 4, so that the latter, with the thermostat, is substantially a unitary structure.

Attached to the adjusting screw 47 is a circular dial 56 with sealed divisions representing degrees of temperature F., which, in relation to a fixed pointer 57, attached to the upper bracket 44, indicate the true temperature at which the device is calibrated to operate.

The tube 37 which leads from the cover 16 of the valve 4 to the thermostat, is preferably suspended between said plates 18 and 51 in the form of a turn bends 58, and its oflice is that of a condenser; such portion of the tube being cooled by the air circulating between said insulating plates through the holes orperforations in the supporting band 54. By this arrangement, any liquid contained within said tube 37 will gravitate to the lower part of said condensing portion 58, next to the thermostat, while the vapor of such liquid will occupy the upper portion thereof and the chamber 22, or such portion thereof unoccupied by the filling material 39.

It will be understood, of course, that the thermostat chamber 43; the connections with the heads 41 and 42 and with the tube 37 and its condensing portion 58, and the connection with the cover 16 communicating with the chamber 22 within the valvecbody coil, or with horizontal re- 1 are all liquid and vapor tight, so that part of the structure providing for circulatioii between the chamber 22 and the thermostat chamber 43, including the metal walls of the several chambers, is hermetically sealed.

The valve structure shown in Fig. 2, is illustrated as having a tubular thimble or sleeve providing the port 12 and a seat for the valve 25 designed to close the same; such thimble having a forced fit. In Fig. 5, I have shown a similar sleeve or thimble, with a conical valve 25*. In this arrangement the steam supply pipe 2 is shown at the side of the valve casing communicating with a port 11.

In Fig; 6, I have shown another form of valve 25, having a stem 23*, threaded into a boss 23 depending from the flange 24. The seat for this valve is provided by a sleeve or thimble 60, which may be threaded into the wall 13 of the valve casing. The valve disk may have a relatively sharp contacting edge or face as shown. This arrangement permits ready renewal of the parts most subject to wear.

In Figs. 7 and 8, I have shown another form of thermostat comprising a shell 40 having flexible walls forming a chamber 43*. This casing is mounted within a perforated shell or cover 52, and preferably the backing or supporting plate 46" is concaved, conforming to the convexity of the walls of the casing 40 The backing plate is carried by the insulating plate 51, and may be held thereto by the screws 61 which hold the. cover in place.

Engaging the opposite face of the casing 40 is a movable plate recessed at 66 to receive the end of an adjusting screw 47, and the latter may carry a dial 56", which may be set with reference to a pointer 57 carried by the casing 52. This structure may be attached to the insulating plate 51 in a manner substantially similar to the structure illustrated in Fig. 2; such plate 51 beingin turn connected to an insulating plate 18 carries the valve. As in the structure shown in Fig. 2, the plates 18 and 51 are connected by a band 54 perforated at 55.

The chamber 43 of the casing 40 is filled with liquid and operates in a manner pre cisely similar to the structure illustrated in- Fig. 2, with a tube 37 affording communication between the chamber 43 and the chamber of the valve; such tube 37 having the usual condensing portion 58 disposed between the walls 18'. and 51.

In calibrating the structure shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, et seq., to function prqipcrly, the screw plug closure 32 is remove and the expansible chamber 43 of the thermostat, as well as the expansiblechamber 22 of the valve body, is charged with a thermally affected liquid, such as alcohol, or other liqcarried by the bracket 17, which.

said chamber 43 will uid which Vaporzies at less than steam temperature but above that of the normal temperature of the air. After such charging, the opening normally closed by the screw plug 32 is used as a vent to bleed the liquid from the chamber 22, chamber 27 and passage 35, in the top closure 16 for the valve body in order to properly calibrate the device and obtain the desired operating conditions for the temperatures involved. Such bleeding of the liquid provides a vapor space between the end of the tube 37 and the chamber 22. As may be well understood, the bleeding point may be disposed at some other part of the structure, but in any arrangement it should provide for an evacuation of the liquid from said chamber 22 so that un der operating conditions such chamberis vapor-filled and never contains any of the liquid of the thermosatic chamber.

en completed and sealed tight by the closing of screw plug 32, and the 4 is properly connected in the steam supply pipe leading to the radiator, the action is as follows:

The screw 47 is'revolved so that the mark or figure on the dial 56 representing, say 68 F. is opposite the pointer 57, then the body of thermal liquid is in the thermostat chamber 43, and there is no liquid in the chamber 22 of the expansible vessel 21, only vapor of the thermal liquid, at or below atmospheric pressure, together with the Wax or other filler 39. The valve stem 23 is retracted, and the port 12 is open, permitting steam to ass from the chamber 14 of the valve 4. ith steam flowing', the 'wax or other meltable filler within the chamber 22, (relatively solid at atmospheric temperature) becomes liquid, and the wall of the chamber 22 is then free to expand.

The heat of the steam expands the vapor in chamber 22, but not sufiiciently to cause the chamber to expand materially. However, as the steam condenses in the radiator, the air of the room becomes Warmer and rising above 68 F., at which point the thermostat is set to act, the liquid within expand, filling the coil 58 of the small tube 37, and the tubular passageway 35 in the cover16, so that the heat in said cover 16, to which it is attached, vaporizes a portion of said liquid. If further increase in the volume of the thermal liquid in thermostat chamber 43 continues, such additional liquid will be forced toward the expansible chamber 22, and when the heat vaporizes it, it will increase the vapor pressure therein sufiicient to expand the wall of said chamber 27; forcing valve 25 to its seat, closing the port the flow of steam.

Upon a decrease in temperature pf the air at the thermostat chamber 43, the liquid contracts, and the vapor in chamber 22,

steam valve 12, and cutting off following the liquid, condenses in tube coil 58, returning to liquid form and relieving the vapor pressure in said chamber 22. Its resiliency, assisted by the fact that the pressure within is less than that without, causes the wall of the chamber 22 to retract and lift the valve 25 from its seat, thus opening hthe port 12.

is action will continue as long as the air at thermostat varies, and steam is present in the valve body 4. The vapor of the thermal liquid fills that part of chamber 22 not occupied by the fluid, and if this vapor space is small the action is quickened so that a slight change, a fraction of a degree at the thermostat, will expand. the thermal liquid suificiently to form vapor pressure in the chamber 22 that will close the valve 25.

When it is desired for any purpose, the volume of the wax or other material 39 in the chamber 22 may be reduced, then the vapor space is increased, requiring increased volume of vapor at the pressure required to close the valve and under this adjustment the change of air temperature at the thermostat must be reater to cause sufiicient volume of the t ermal fluid to be vaporized to produce thevapor pressure suflicient to close the valve, thus the range of temperature through which the device will function is increased to 1, 2, or more, R, and the control of steam flow becomes more gradual.

To finally obtain the desired room temperature it is to be noted that with thermostat set at 68 F., a room temperature can be obtaine at the breathing line of, say, 71 F., w ile if 68 F. is-desired at the breathing line, then the thermostat screw 47 should be rotated so that the line on dial coincident with pointer is 3 degrees less (71-68=3)' or 65 F. Then the-controller is in adjustment for a room tem-.; perature of 68 F, at the breathing line, at which temperature it will close oil the steam, and will operate continuously.

The structure shown in Figs. 7 and 8, may be calibrated in amannersubstantially as described with reference to the other structure shown; and.its operation is the same.

Because of conditions already explained, slight variations in breathing line temperature may occur, not due to any defects in the device but to the external atmospheric conditions described.

By the use of my invention, a means of controlling the temperature of rooms close to. that required for comfort and health.

simple and comparatively inexpensive. and permanent in its function, is produced.

I claim: I 1. In a heat controlling device; a thermostatic element. comprising an expansiblechamber filledwitli an expansible and vapori zable fluid; a valve casing; an expansible metallic chamber within said valve casing; a tube connecting said thermostatic element and metallic chamber whereby the fluid in the thermostatic element may communicate with said expansible metallic chamber; and a filling substance within said metallic chamber adapted to solidify when the temperature of the steam is withdrawn.

2. In a heat controlling device, a thermostatic element,-. comprising an expansible chamber filled with an expansible and vaporizable fluid; a valve casing having a valve port therein; an expansible metallic chamber within said valve casing; a 'valve piece carried by said chamber and adapted to automatically control said valve port to regulate the passage of steam therethrough; a tube connecting the thermostatic element and metallic chamber through which the fluid in the thermostatic element communicates with said metallic chamber; and a sub stance within said metallic chamber which solidifies at the temperature of the steam within said valve casing.

3. In a heat controlling device. a thermostatic element comprising an expansible chamber filled with an expansible and vaporizable fluid; a valve casing having a valve port therein; an expansible metallic chamber within said valve casing; a valve piece carried by said chamber; a tube connecting said thermostatic element and metallic chamber. through which the fluid from the thermostatic element communicates with said metallic chamber; and a filling substance within said chamber which solidifies at ordinary atmospheric temperature and liquefies at the temperature of steam and which by reason of a variation in the volume thereof, will change therange of the temperature at which the valve piece closes the port in said valve casing to automatically control the passage of steam therethrough.-

4. In a heat controlling device, a thermostatic element comprising an expansible chamber filled with an expansible and'vapo rizable fluid; a'valve casing having a valve port therein; a top closure for said valve casing; a tube afiording communication between the thermostatic element and said top closure; an expansible metallic chamber in communication with said tube sealed to said closure and depending therefrom a valve piece carried by said metallic chamber; and a filling substance within said chamber which solidifies at ordinary atmospheric temperature and liquefies at the temperature of steam, the amount of said filling substance determinin the temperature at which the valve piece will close upon the port in' said valve casing to automatically control the passage of steam therethrough.

JAMES LOGAN rrrrs.

Ill) 

